Council score should be higher, says chief

The chief executive of Cannock Chase Council has expressed disappointment at the authority's rating in the outcome of government checks.

The council was awarded a score of two by the Audit Commission for each element in the new organisational assessment which equates to the council performing adequately. Chief executive Stephen Brown said he was pleased that the assessment highlighted some positive aspects of the council's work, but felt the score should have been higher.

"Obviously, a scored rating is a very simplified way of looking at a local authority's performance but we are surprised, however, not to get a score of three," he said.

"The new assessment system is a lot tougher than the previous regime, and we will not be the only council to feel that perhaps we deserved a higher rating."

He added: "The council's performance has improved dramatically in the last two or three years and we have put in place a very robust medium-term financial strategy which reflects our priority areas.

"I can assure residents that we are all working hard to continually improve the services that we deliver."

The organisational assessment found the council was making good progress and focusing on local concerns.

Lichfield District Council was judged to be performing well in its organisational assessment and scored a three rating.

Council leader David Smith said: "We are delighted to have been found to be performing well. This means that we are continuing to improve, and I would like to congratulate both officers and councillors on a fantastic result.

"It confirms that we're achieving results for our residents and business, and that we're on track to deliver even more improvements in the future."

Nina Dawes, chief executive, added: "Our result represents a huge team effort and is the culmination of all the hard work by councillors, employees and partners, in moving the council forward. Thank you to everyone for helping us to deliver real benefits."